With the holiday season upon us, many people are getting ready to both host and attend various holiday gatherings. While these gatherings can be an excellent source of fun, an unexpected injury can easily turn these events sour. If you are planning on throwing a holiday get-together in your home this year, it is vital that you take certain precautions to ensure the safety of your party guests.
Check Your Property for Hazards
The last thing you need during your holiday party is to have a guest suffer a preventable accident due to a hidden danger on your property. If you do not make a reasonable effort to make your property safe for visitors, you could potentially face a premises liability lawsuit if someone suffers an injury in your home. To prevent this from happening, it is crucial that you search your home for any potential hazards and make any necessary repairs.
Look for all of the following:
- Exposed wires
- Sharp objects
- Torn or frayed carpeting
- Loose tiles or raised floorboards
Make Your Pool Safe
If your home has a pool, it is imperative you take certain steps to ensure that it is safe for your guests and fenced off. Check the latches to your gates and ensure they function properly. This is especially important if you plan on serving alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is involved in approximately 70% of all drowning accidents. If someone falls into your pool and hits their head, they could easily drown.
Encourage Responsible Drinking
Drinking responsibly is crucial. Do not let anyone who is not 21 years old have any alcohol, and keep an eye on guests who may be drinking too much. It is important that you do not pressure anyone to drink, and that you serve plenty of non-alcoholic beverages as alternatives.
Try offering the following options:
- Energy drinks
- Smoothies
- Mocktails
- Sodas
- Water
Most importantly, do not let anyone drive themselves home if they are intoxicated! A good idea for hosts is to refrain from drinking and offer rides home to anyone who has been drinking. Offering your guests the option of staying the night can also be an excellent way to ensure their safety.
Contact The Odierno Law Firm, P.C.
While you can ensure the safety of your guests at your own holiday party, nobody can foresee the actions of others. If you or a loved one should suffer a preventable injury at a holiday party, a Long Island personal injury lawyer from The Odierno Law Firm, P.C. can represent your interests and help you pursue justice for your suffering. If we are not successful in recovering compensation on your behalf, you will not pay us a dime! You have nothing to lose – call our office today.
Lee J. Odierno is the managing partner of Odienero Law’s no-fault department. Find out more about Lee on his profile page, or visit any of his social media profiles below: